EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the Athlete Journal of world champion powerlifter Chris Duffin. Follow Chris as he trains and competes in various events over the coming year. Chris's journal will be posted every Tuesday. You can also read about Chris on his personal website KabukiWarrior.com.

Athlete Journal, Entry 16: 900lb Deadlift & 1000lb Squat

900lb deadlifts and 1000lb squats - are you following this raw powerlifting training log yet?!

Well okay, the deadlift was done with straps and the squat was with deloading chains and probably equated closer to 800lbs. But all in all, that’s not bad for a guy training to compete in the 220lb weight class.

MONDAY

Due to a family camping trip I was not able to get in and get the knot worked out of my right pec last week. I did, however, bring the Rumble Roller with me on the trip and put some work into getting it loosened up. It’s more an issue of just a lot of tissue in the pec, delt, and bi insertion area that just gets bound up because there is so little space for all of it to move in. Overall it was in far better condition than the prior week.

Bench press

135x20

185x15

225x5

315x3

365x1

405x7, 7, 5

The first set I wasn’t locked into my groove and the 7 reps was a grinder, the second set I locked in and they were flying and almost finished an eight rep, but I was just too fatigued after the first grinder set. Finished with a last set of 5 failing on the sixth.

Band + Dumbell Floor Press

#5band (approx100lbs/hand at lockout) +100s x6, 6

Bottoms up KB press

88x.5 - Oh so close!

70x3, 3

53x8, 8, 8 walking

Band Overhead Triceps Extensions

#4 band x 65,20, 15

WEDNESDAY

Buffalo Bar squats w/300lbs in Chain

155x5, 5

155+300x3

265+300x3

375+300x3

485+300x2

595+300x3

705+300x1

Stoked - but looking at the video tells me I cut it just above parallel. Over 1000lbs on my back raw was a little crazy however. Felt like it took an eternity to finish, but much faster on video than what reality felt like.

Single Leg - AFS Leg Press

300x12, 12

Inverted Band Ham Curls

#4x30, 25, 20

FRIDAY

Kept it simple as I have two big training sessions planned over the weekend. My friend and training rival Justin Randall out of Seattle came down to train over the weekend.

Ice between sets is keeping my hand bloat down and having not a bit of issue with grip - but that’s all I needed to see for today.

805x1 add straps

900x1+

915x0

To give you some context I believe only three people in the history of powerlifting have pulled over 900lbs using the sumo stance in competition. That is in ANY weight class, ANY federation, ANY rules, or ANY use of additional supporting powerlifting gear.

Pullups

BWx16, 12, 10

Chins

BWx11, 10, 6

Time to rest up and start off the next Training week early on Sunday. Both Justin and I hit PRs - time to do the same again tomorrow.